Challenge of political integration in the territorial management of a protected area based on the analysis of land use and land cover change

This study addresses the management of a protected area (PA) within the context of Itupararanga’s Environmental Protection Area (Itupararanga’s EPA) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It evaluates whether municipal master plans (MMP) have contributed to maintaining vegetation cover in the PA by analyzing land use and land cover change (LULCC). Effective PA management necessitates coordination among various stakeholders, including local action groups and associations. However, municipal master plans are often discriminatory and top-down, which can lead to inefficient implementation. Since its establishment in 1986, Itupararanga’s EPA has undergone significant changes, notably forest loss in recent years, indicating a deficiency in proactive conservation policies. The MMPs mainly focus on guiding urban expansion and restricting land subdivisions in strategic areas of the EPA. They often favor agricultural expansion over environmental conservation. This study highlights the importance of integrated and participatory management in PA conservation, which should involve the coordination of different actors. In conclusion, further studies should identify existing conflicts between the MMPs and the management plan (MP) of Itupararanga’s EPA to facilitate integrated territorial management and monitoring.